Plant exchange part of upcoming events

Published 9:18 am Thursday, April 7, 2011

Typically when one thinks of a ‘bloom’ one thinks of it as being the most beautiful part of a plant, but one must also consider the importance of the blooming process.

According to Mr. Webster, to bloom is 1) to shine with health and vigor, or 2) to grow and flourish. It is the goal of Ironton In Bloom to do just that, to grow and make the city of Ironton shine through the establishment of community pride long denied the city throughout past devastating economic times.

As with a blooming plant, that pride began with a seed.

That seed was planted by a city councilman, Randy Lilly, at a time in 1999 when the city had nowhere to look but up.

With little or no resources and only the brooms, hoes, and bags of mulch that a small group of volunteers and groups of high school students could gather, day lilies were planted and the downtown streets were cleaned that first Saturday in May.

That seed has now flourished and spread, ultimately leading to numerous volunteer groups such as Friends of Ironton, Ironton In Bloom, the Port Authority, and other groups, as well as individuals, who are determined to once more see Ironton shine.

As efforts continue, it is the enthusiasm and support of the city’s residents that keep that determination strong.

From the smallest donation or helping hand, to the news of a new business starting up, volunteers thrive not so much on the progress itself, as the pride they see mirrored in the faces of the people who call Ironton home.

Good things are happening and Ironton In Bloom is thrilled to be a small part of that movement forward.

The Rock Hill Garden Club and library are teaming up to provide a Community Plant Exchange which will take place at Briggs Library, 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. This is an effort to make Ironton bloom without the high cost of buying new plants.

When you are thinning and separating bulbs, shrubs, and plants in the next few weeks, keep the roots damp and save them to bring to this informal swap at no cost.

If you don’t have plantings to bring but need some starts, there are always people there who are interested in sharing plants as well as special seeds. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer any questions you have.

May 7th is Downtown Clean-up Day. We pick up litter, pull weeds, freshen the plantings with mulch, and plant some flowers in the bare spaces.

If enough volunteers show up, we’re usually done by lunchtime and free pizza is provided.

This is also the day the floral hanging baskets will be hung and pansies are replaced with summer flowers in the big pots along the sidewalks. Since this is the Saturday before Mothers’ Day, Ironton In Bloom has chosen this same day to have a plant sale on the Farmers’ Market site at Second and Vernon streets.

Potted flowers that compliment the downtown displays will be sold, along with some framed flower photographs by local photographer, Woody Christian, and flower boxes made by Mike Pearson.

All proceeds will go to help pay for the downtown floral displays and their maintenance throughout the summer.

Put this important date on your calendar, and if you belong to a school group, church group, or club, talk to them about lending a helping hand.

If you are an individual who likes to get your hands in the dirt, bring your gloves and come join us.

We’ll also be spending a great part of the summer raising the money for this year’s floral displays and their maintenance.

If you’d like to help by making a contribution, send it to Ironton In Bloom, P.O. Box 4599, Ironton.

Judy Sanders is an Ironton resident and a volunteer with the Ironton In Bloom organization.